Las Vegas Raiders came into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams with something to prove against a team that was reeling. Rob Leonard had a great start to the season, but once the big boys of the league showed up, the clock struck midnight on his defensive prowess. His defense has turned back into a pumpkin over the last four games, with all the magic beaten out of it.
The Rams run 13 personnel (one running back and three tight ends) more than anyone in the league and it was obvious from the second possession that neither Leonard nor the Raiders’ defense had anything for it. Lining up eight men in the box on offense negated everything Leonard had at his disposal. Displaying how little of a push the undersized defensive line really gets on a play-to-play basis.
Committing an extra linebacker to the field didn’t help. The cornerbacks were too small to make an impact and constantly got outmuscled. Zone coverage conceded too much space to pass catchers; blitzing players couldn’t outnumber the line and man coverage was getting barbequed by play-action passes. There was hardly any pressure: one sack and only four quarterback hits on Matt Stafford, who set the Rams franchise record for touchdown passes (155).
Marshawn Lynch once said, “if you just run through somebody face a lot of people aint gonna be able to take over and over … run through a mf face and you won’t have to worry about them anymore.” That is exactly what opposing teams have been doing to the Raiders during the four-game losing streak.
When the clock read 0:00, the Raiders had surrendered: 35 points, 99 yards rushing to Kyren Williams and 93 yards rushing to Blake Corum, with both scoring rushing touchdowns. As a team, the Rams rushed 38 times for 199 yards and two touchdowns.
Tonka Hemingway got a sack on third down of the first drive to force a three-and-out. It would be the only thing that went well for the defense in the first 30 minutes of football. In the first half, the Rams totaled over a hundred yards on the ground and 243 yards tota offense. Going 4/5 on red zone opportunities, scoring four touchdowns without a turnover and with only one punt. Backup tight end Davis Allen caught two touchdown passes in the red zone, and Puka Nacua added one as well. Nacua, the game-time decision, did whatever he felt like as he ran around virtually uncovered and through anyone who dreamed of attempting to tackle him.
Tackling continues to be an issue for the Raiders’ defense. The Rams’ ball carriers had no problems lowering their shoulders and driving through them. Stiff-arming guys practically to the ground all while running downhill through holes big enough to drive trucks through.
To be fair, in the second half, the Raiders’ defense forced two turnovers. Nakobe Dean added a tipped pass interception to his collection of turnovers, his fourth turnover of the season. Jeremy Chinn recovered a fumble for the defense as turnovers came in bunches at the end of the third quarter. At one point helping cut a 25-point lead down to 10 (28-18), making the game interesting for a moment and showing some degree of pride.
It was short-lived as the Rams resumed success with their 13 personnel and immediately drove back down the field and scored again boosting the total to 35 points. It was the fourth straight week the Raiders defense has given up 30+ points in a game.
With a showdown against the New York Jets, next week on the road with a 10am PST start time, Leonard and the Raiders defense better get their stuff together and do it fast.
